Stubble-burner.



W. E. CONVERSE;

STUBBLE BURNER.

APPLIOATIONIFILED FEB.13, 1909.

960,826. Patented June '7, 1910.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

WILLIAM E. CONVERSE, 0F FRANKTOWN, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-FOURTH T0 JOHN R. CAMPBELL, OF FRANKIOWN, COLORADO.

STUBBLE-BURNER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 13, 1909.

Patented June 7, 1910. Serial No. 477,778.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. CON- VERSE, a citizen of the United States, residing at, Franktown, in the county of Douglas and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Stubble-Burners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for destroying by burning stubble, weeds, grass and the like, and the invention is particularly directed to the construction of an apparatus of this character wherein the burner is positioned toward the front end of a wheeled truck and a brush positioned adjacent the rear of the truck, the device being provided with means whereby a non-ignitible liquid, such as water, is delivered directly in front of the brush so that the flame will be effectively extinguished, the truck being also provided with side guards or shields to prevent the flame from the burning grass or stubble extending beyond the sides of the truck, and the body of the truck being also provided with a suitable pipe adapted to serve as an outlet for the smoke and other products of combustion provided by the ignited stubble or grass.

Vith the above, and other objects in view which will be more apparent as the description progresses, the invention resides in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing there has been illustrated a simple and preferred embodiment of the invention, and in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a partial top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view through the iron brush and illustrating the connection of the water pipe therewith. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the method of connecting the adjustable guard with the platform of the vehicle. Fig. 6 is a side ele vation of a modified form of the wire brush. Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the same.

In the accompanying drawing the numeral 1 designates the truck. This truck is provided with a suitable running gear comprising front or guiding wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3. The axle connecting the front wheels 2 is provided with the usual tongue 4 through the medium of which the draft animals are attached to the device.

The top or body 5 0f the truck comprises a substantially rectangular platform and is provided at its front end with a transversely arranged oil or gasolene tank 6 having a suitable inlet pipe 7 which is normally closed by a cap 8 connected with an air pump having a suitable handle 9 and through the medium of which a suflicient amount of air may be forced within the tank 6 to provide for the ready combustion of the oil or gasolene.

Secured upon both of the ends of the tank 6, and near the bottom thereof, are the outlet pipes 10. These outlet pipes 10 are each provided with suitable valves 11 and extend in a substantially of the truck. The lower or connecting member of these pipes 10 is positioned a short distance above the ground over which the device is adapted to travel and is provided with a series of openings 12 adapted to serve as outlets for the inflammable material contained within the tank 6 which is ignited and produces an effective burner for destroying the stubble, weeds, or grass with which the flame contacts. 7

In order to prevent the flame of the burning stubble from extending beyond the sides of the truck, I have provided each side of the said truck with suitable guards or deflectors 13. These guards 13 are adapted to extend nearly the entire longitudinal length of the truck 1 and have their ends provided with suitable offsets 14 mounted in offset bearings 15 positioned upon the sides of the body 5. The guards comprise a suitable frame constructed of suitable metal and which extends around the entire edges of the noncombustible guard proper 16. The upper bar of the frames adjacent the edges of the platform 5 are centrally provided with an upstanding member 17. Pivotally connected as at 17 with this member 17 is a lever 18 provided with an elongated slot at its point of connection with the said upright 17 and having one of its ends pivotally connected with a standard 19-mounted upon each side of the platform 5. The upright 19 has its upper portion provided with a segmental rack 20, and the lever 18 is provided with a pawl 21 connected through the medium of a suitable link with a handle 22. The handle 22 and the end of the levers 18 U-shape beneath the body carrying the said handles are positioned in close proximity to a seat 23 provided upon the platform 5 and adapted to be occupied by the driver of the truck. By this con struction it will be noted that the guards may be raised or lowered as desired to agree with the growth of the vegetation over which the device is propelled or to be raised out of the path of obstructions which may be encountered.

Positioned near the rear end of the platform 5 a suitable distance away from the tank 6 is a similar tank 24. This tank 24 is provided with a suitable inlet opening normally closed by a suitable cap 25. The receptacle 24 is adapted for the reception of water and is provided with loosely connected suitable outlet pipes 26 regulated by suitable valves and having their ends passed through orifices provided in the back 27 of wire brush members 28. The projecting ends of the pipes 26 are connected by a transverse pipe 29 which is provided with a plurality of perforations 30 adapted to serve as outlet openings for the water from the tank 24 and to deliver the said water between the wire bristles of the brush mem bers. By this arrangement it will. be noted that the ignited stubble or grass may be readily extinguished when contacted by the brushes 28 so that danger of the fire spreading is entirely and effectively obviated. The platform 5 is provided wit-h a suitable opening directly in front of the receptacle 24, and this opening is adapted for the reception of a pipe 31 through which the products of combustion from the burned stubble finds a ready escape to the outer air. The brush members 27 have their supportin g members 32 pivotally connected with the sides of the platform 5 and are adapted to extend a suitable distance above the said platform. These extending portions are pivotally connected with a link 33 which has its free end also pivotally connected with a suitable lever 3a. The lever 34 is in turn pivotally connected with a segmental rack member 35 and the said lever is provided with a suitable pawl operated by a suitable handle 36 which is adapted to engage between the teeth of the segmental rack so as to swing the brush sections toward or away from the ground as the occasion requires. By reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be noted that a pair of brush members are employed so that one of the sections may be operated through the medium of the lever 34 entirely independent of the other section. This construction is of a great advantage when the apparatus is propelled over uneven surfaces or when an obstruction presents itself upon one side of the device.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing it will be apparent that I have provided a comparatively simple, cheap and effective device for the purpose intended, one wherein undesirable vegetation may be easily and quickly destroyed by the burner of the device, one in which the brush members coaeting with the water delivered from the tank 2a readily extinguishes the ignition caused by the burner and at the same time smoothly sweeps the burned vegetation in a forward direction, one in which the brush sections are easily and quickly adjusted, one which provides an outlet flue for the products of combustion and one which is also provided with adjustable side guards which eflectively prevent the spreading of the ignited substances beyond the sides of the truck.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have illustrated a modified form of the wire brush 28. In these figures it will be noted that the brush is composed of a series of spaced U-shaped wire members a, being retained in proper spaced relation with each other by means of a central transverse bar 5 running between the said U-shaped members and extending a suitable distance beyond the end members to provide means whereby the same may be secured to the body of the device. The said brush is also provided with a front bar 0 and a rear bar d. The bars 0, b and (Z are all provided with alining openings adapted for the reception of threaded securing elements 6 whereby the said bars may be rigidly pressed against the sides of the U- shaped brush, By this arrangement'it will be noted that the U-shaped wires comprising the brush may be raised or lowered as desired by simply regulating the retaining element 6.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of the invention as it now appears to me, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth as many minor details, Within the scope of the following claims, may suggest themselves and may be employed without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. The combination with a wheeled vehicle having a platform, an oil tank upon the platform, valved outlet pipes for the tank, a burner member transversely connected with the outlet pipes, a brush member positioned behind the burner, a water supply connected with the brush member and an adjustable reticulated guard member upon each side of the truck inclosing the burner and brush member.

2. The combination with a Wheeled truck having a platform, of an oil tank upon the forward end of the platform, valved outlet pipes for the tank, a burner member trans- Versely connected with the outlet pipes, below the platform, a water tank positioned near the rear of the truck, a brush member below the truck and positioned away from the burner, a pipe connection between the water tank and the brush member, adjustable reticulated members upon each side of the truck inclosing the brush and burner, and a pipe member upon the platform, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a wheeled truck having a platform, of an oil tank upon the platform and adjacent the front thereof, valved outlet pipes connected with the tank, a transverse burner member connected with the outlet pipes, a brush member positioned adjacent the rear of the truck, means for raising or lowering the brush member, a-

water tank upon the rear of the platform, flexible pipe members leading therefrom communicating with the brush member, valves for the pipes, reticulated guard member upon each side of the truck, means for raising or lowering the guard members.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WVILLIAM E. CONVERSE. Witnesses:

WILLIAM G. JONES, CHARLES ANDERSON. 

